Chapter 8 — I Don't Need The House You Returned

At half past one o'clock the next afternoon, I went to the school hall. On the program sheet, it says it's a choir performance between parents and children. Ha Du An is changing his performance outfit behind the stage. I was just about to go look for the boy when I saw Ha Dinh Chau sitting in the front row. Lam Man sat next to him. The twins sat on both sides, wearing the same performance outfit as Ha Du An. In front of four people placed a Family Seat card. And my seat is in the last row. Staff explained:

"Mr. Ha said you're busy with work and it's unlikely you'll come."

“So front row seats have been arranged for parents to accompany their children during practice.”

I looked towards Ha Dinh Chau. He also saw me. Not at all surprising. It was like he knew I was coming, but he still let Lam Man sit next to him. After the performance ended, Ha Du An ran down from the stage. I reached out to the boy.

“Can I come home to mom tonight?”

Its steps stopped. The twins ran from behind, each holding one of his hands.

“Brother, we still have to build a castle tonight.”

“Mom said you'll play with us.”

Lam Man smiled and walked over.

“Lately, Du An is very close to you two.”

“Tinh Dao, how about letting him come to your place next week?”

“The boy made a promise to the children today.”

I don't look at her.

“Du An, choose yourself.”

The boy looked at me, then looked at Ha Dinh Chau. There were still many parents in the hall who had not yet left. After a long time, it slowly let go of the twins' hands. I thought it was coming towards me. But it still stood in place, its eyes red.

“I won't go.”

“When mom still had to take care of her grandmother, she didn't come home for three months.”

“Now that mom has work, she will be busier and busier in the future.”

“Dad is right.”

Its voice trembled.

“Mom always has something more important than me.”

“If you don't need this house anymore, I won't go with you.”

The surrounding gradually became silent. Ha Dinh Chau stepped in front of me, covering Ha Du An behind.

“Did you hear that?”

"It's not that I won't let you take the boy away."

“It's because it doesn't want to.”

That evening, he brought a copy of the agreement to the apartment. The terms of the agreement are listed very clearly. Lam Man moved to the living room. The rooftop was restored into a baking room. Ha Dinh Chau founded a cake brand for me. I returned to live in the old Western-style house. While Lam Man is in training, the three children will be cared for by two maids. And I will be in charge of schoolwork, arranging meals and accompanying the children every day. Ha Dinh Chau put the pen in front of me.

“Tinh Dao, you have given in as much as possible.”

“Du An needs you.”

“As long as you sign, we will pretend that nothing happened during this time.”

I turned to the last page. Plan to take care of your family together. Behind the names of Lam Man's two daughters, the guardian assistant still wrote my name. I remembered Ha Du An's red eyes in the hall, reaching out to pick up the pen. Ha Dinh Chau's face finally softened. Right before the tip of the pen touched the paper, the doorbell suddenly rang. I opened the door. Aunt Dao stood outside holding a cardboard box. My aunt took one look at Ha Dinh Chau and then gave the box to me.

“These are things at times repairing the bakery room, the boss told them to throw it away."

“There's one more thing.”

Her voice was very soft.

"It's not that Master Du An doesn't want to follow you."

“That small suitcase, the master packs it up himself every night.”

Ha Dinh Chau's face immediately darkened.

“Who sent you here?”

Aunt Dao tightened her grip on the edge of the cardboard box.

“Sir, I just came to return the lady's things.”

"When is it your turn to interfere in family matters?"

“She doesn't interfere.”

I received the box from Aunt Dao's hand.

“You told people to throw away my things.”

“She just didn't follow through.”

Ha Dinh Chau looked towards the box. Inside are old molds, a copper pot my mother left behind and a clay cake made by Ha Du An when she was a child. At the bottom is a cracked wooden board. Studio Tinh Dao. The crack just ran across my name. Aunt Dao looked at me again.

“Madam, that day Master Du An really wanted to follow you.”